More catching up --

12/16: We noticed a heavy police presence in town - many jurisdictions and an area blocked off along the carretera (main drag).  Not too comforting until our friends told us it was in response to a huge local demand for a plan of action after 2 serious home invasions locally, where one person was murdered.  This happened at the end of November.  A couple of weeks later we read that two people were positively id'ed by the family members that witnessed the shooting.  On a much brighter note, the weather continues to be amazing ...

We are still adjusting to this thing in our individual ways.  For the 2nd day in a row, Gregg said to me "It's 10:30.  Half the day is gone!"  I was in no hurry to get out and about as places don't open until 10 here anyway.  I asked him if we had a schedule that I didn't know about.  I'm a little worried at this point, but he did come around after a week or so.  Another surprise - I knew I needed to find a gym here ASAP, but never expected that Gregg would join also.  He found the best one in the area.  It must be, as it costs $35US/mo. (we have both been going 3 times a week ever since). Yet another example of making do with what you have:  The washing machine here is new, but very lightweight.  It has trouble with the spin cycle, so you have to watch it or at least expect that it's going to stall because it's out of balance.  I hang the laundry outside to dry, for the most part, as we have been told that electricity is the most expensive of our extras here.